About Us
Toddlers’ University is small family operated group of Ofsted registered children’s day nurseries with two locations serving the local communities in Beeston, Nottingham and Ilkeston, Derbyshire. We offer first class childcare and education for babies and toddlers, in small group sizes, from 3 months old including full day care, part-time care, before and after school clubs and holiday clubs all year round except on public holidays and during Christmas week when the nurseries are closed. Operating since 1997, we follow a varied and exciting programme of preschool activities based on the early years foundation stage of the national curriculum in small group sizes with only 3 to 8 children per staff member depending on the ages of the children. The day nurseries in Beeston and Ilkeston are rated ‘good’ by Ofsted.
We are members of the National Day Nurseries Association.
The nurseries are located close to Beeston and Ilkeston town centres and are easily accessible by bus or tram and with on-site parking or ample road-side parking close by.
We say we offer “first class childcare with honours” and we certainly aim to be the best nursery in Beeston and the best nursery in Ilkeston but don’t take our word for it… come and find out for yourself! We’d love to show you around so why not give us a call today?
A few things we’re great at
FREE (GOVERNMENT FUNDED) PLACES
All 3 to 4-year-olds and eligible 2-year-olds can get 570 hours of free childcare per year. Some 3 to 4-year-olds are eligible for 30 hours free childcare per week. Free places can be taken throughout the whole year or concentrated into term-time weeks only.
FULLY QUALIFIED STAFF
Our staff are fully qualified specialists in early-years education up to university degree level with over 50 years combined experience in nursery and preschool education. Some staff have achieved the coveted Early Years Professional status.
OPEN ALL DAY
Preschool childcare and education with a mix of free play and focussed activities in small group sizes – as low as 2 or 3 children to one staff member – from 7.30am until 6.00pm from Monday to Friday all year round (excluding public holidays and Christmas week).
FOOD AND DRINKS INCLUDED
Delicious, healthy meals, snacks and drinks are offered throughout the day, prepared by our on-site cooks using nutritious ingredients with the maximum 5-star food hygiene rating. We cater for specific dietary requirements including allergies.
Park Road, Ilkeston, Derbyshire, DE7 5DR | Tel: 0115 944 4294
Toddlers’ University Ilkeston
Toddlers’ University Day Nursery in Ilkeston was registered by the current family owners in 2003, and operates from a converted church premises situated in Park Road in the Larklands area just to the south east of Ilkeston, Derbyshire.
2a The City, Beeston, Nottingham, NG9 2ED | Tel: 0115 967 8602
Toddlers’ University Beeston
Toddlers’ University Day Nursery in Beeston was registered by the current family owners in 2009. The nursery is very close to Beeston town centre, next to Middle Street tram stop at the top of Lower Regent Street and just a few minutes walk from Tesco Extra and Broadgate Park.
What Ofsted think
Here are some quotes from the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills…
The provision is good… Children are safe and secure in this welcoming and friendly nursery… Staff understand how children learn and use their knowledge to plan activities that are exciting and interesting. This promotes children’s learning effectively.
September 2019
Teaching is effective… safeguarding is effective… Outcomes for children are good… Children are learning to be independent from a young age… Parents are happy with the care staff provide to children…
February 2018
Children are… happy and well settled. Staff have high expectations for children’s learning and development and interact with them in a positive manner. Children behave well and play well together. The manager is well focused and ambitious. She has worked hard on developing the quality of the provision.
September 2019
What our parents and carers think
Don’t take our word for it – here’s what our parents and carers say:
Lovely staff! Manager has been in early years a while and highly qualified, which reflects in the running of the nursery and care of the children! … definitely worth a look around if you’re trying to find somewhere for your little ones too!
Parent
January 2020
Toddlers Uni is a brilliant nursery that I would recommend to anyone. My son is so settled there because of how much time and patience the staff put into each and every child. There is always plenty of activities for him to enjoy which he never wants to leave when I pick him up. The staff always seem interested in information I share about my son both about development and what we have been doing throughout the week.
Parent
May 2020
My son has been in the baby room and toddler room and both are great. I will definitely be sending my next son when he is old enough!
Parent
May 2020
Our Management Team
Toddlers’ University employs qualified and experienced staff with a minimum of a NVQ level 3 or equivalent qualification in a childcare related subject and each nursery has at least one university degree qualified staff member.
The quality of our staff team begins with a rigorous recruitment process, which ensures we recruit high calibre personnel with a mix of sound technical knowledge, good interpersonal skills and a strong background of experience in the sector.
The current management team has over 50 combined years of experience in early years childcare and education management and has owned and operated Toddlers’ University for over 18 years.
Kerry Hawthorn
Director and Co-Owner
Toddlers’ University
Adele Odowd
Manager
Toddlers’ University Beeston
Tanya Robinson
Manager
Toddlers’ University Ilkeston
Chris Hawthorn
Co-Owner
Toddlers’ University
Latest News
Check our blog for the latest news and updates regarding the nurseries.